DA-40 Instructor and student reported a hard landing and runway excursion during a training flight at a non-towered airport. The instructor took control of the aircraft after exiting the runway onto the grass; there was damage to the aileron and wingtip as well as damage to a runway light.
Synopsis
DA-40 Instructor and student reported a hard landing and runway excursion during a training flight at a non-towered airport. The instructor took control of the aircraft after exiting the runway onto the grass; there was damage to the aileron and wingtip as well as damage to a runway light.
Narrative
My instructor and I were practicing performance landings at ZZZ. After one full stop landing of missing my intended mark for a short field landing; we decided to attempt another one in the pattern for Runway XX. With winds coming from the general vicinity of 230; I was also practicing crabbing and crosswind adjustments. The overall approach felt better than my attempts in the past for crosswind correction; and it wasn't until ground effect that I felt uneasy. When I leveled off I was a bit high and uncoordinated with the centerline of the runway. While in ground effect I was pitching for touchdown; when it felt like I had a sudden loss of lift in my left wing. We made contact with the ground and bounced to the left of the runway; most likely due to my uncoordinated and excessive left rudder input for crosswind correction. I failed to control the bounce and after seeing that the plane was projected towards the grass; I tried to call for a Go Around. As I called out the words toga and put in full throttle; it immediately became obvious that it was the wrong call to make and that it was going to make the crash even more detrimental. My instructor was able to catch this immediately and rejected my actions to go around; taking power idle and full control of the aircraft. He secured the plane in the grass and rolled it out to a safe area; and shut the plane down for an immediate inspection of the plane and the situation we were in. From there he made calls to the Chiefs and to planes in the vicinity on ZZZ Unicom. From there we took measures to safely bring the plane to the ramp.
Second reporter narrative
During a dual paired lesson the Student Pilot (SP) and Instructor Pilot (IP) attempted to practice landings at ZZZ. SP began entering the traffic pattern at ZZZ after departing from ZZZ1 and squawking VFR per ZZZ1 tower controller. SP was able to proficiently do and verify everything on the descent checklist and set up for landing runway 18 to practice a short field landing. SP set up for a 45º to the left downwind for runway XX ZZZ. Upon entering traffic pattern; SP began descending too low on the left base leg (approximately 300ft AGL). IP advised adding power to maintain altitude and airspeed. SP initiated turn to left final early but established/stabilized himself on final for runway 18. Upon crossing the runway; SP attempted to enter ground effect approximately 10ft above the runway. This resulted in a hard landing and touched down a couple hundred feet beyond the runway number markings. IP was providing instruction about crosswind aileron/rudder correction while on final to maintain longitudinal axis. SP settled the aircraft down and proceeded with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for short field landings. SP and IP taxied back to runway XX for another departure and practice lap in the traffic pattern at ZZZ. After waiting for a tailwheel GA aircraft to turn crosswind and ensure separation; IP advised for SP to depart runway XX. SP departed runway XX and performed a traffic pattern to flight school SOP's. SP set up for a much more stabilized approach to final on the second landing. Airspeed management was proficient with slight aileron/rudder inputs needed to maintain longitudinal axis coordination. However; upon entering ground effect; SP flared again too high (10-15ft AGL). Because of the nose high attitude and reduction in airspeed; Aircraft X began sinking towards the runway and veering to the left. Upon touchdown on the runway; the left aileron/wingtip/static wick impacted the ground as the aircraft veered into the grass. According to Airport Authority; one runway edge light was broken. SP attempted a go-around as the aircraft ran off the runway but IP intervened and took controls. IP went power idle; used rudder/brake coordination to steer back to the runway. The aircraft rolled into patches of snow in the grass and came to a stop approximately 15-20ft left of runway XX. IP called for all aircraft in the area to depart the traffic pattern over CTAF and shutdown the aircraft.After shutdown; IP reached out to Chief Pilots for how to proceed. After inspections IP made thought it was best to taxi back to the ramp. Ultimately; the aircraft was pushed back onto Runway XX with help from bystanders at ZZZ. IP and SP got back in the aircraft and IP taxied back to the ramp at ZZ and shutdown. No injuries to either SP or IP.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.